ACAMAS SON OF THESEUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Acamas was a hero from the tales of Greek mythology, a son of Theseus, Acamas would be named as one of the Achaean heroes who fought during the Trojan War.
Acamas Son of Theseus
Acamas was named as a son of the Greek hero Theseus. Theseus had succeeded his father, Aegeus, as King of Athens, and would marry Phaedra, daughter of Minos.
Phaedra would bear two sons for Theseus, Acamas and Demophon.
Phaedra would bear two sons for Theseus, Acamas and Demophon.
Acamas and Elephenor
Acamas was present in Athens, whilst his father was absent, when Castor and Pollox attacked the city, seeking the retrieval of their sister, Helen. Menestheus was placed on the throne by the Dioscuri, and Acamas, and his brother Demophon, went into exile.
Acamas and Demophon would find a welcome in Euboea, where Elephenor ruled.
Elephenor would later become a Suitor of Helen, and was thus duty bound to raise a force to retrieve her from Troy. When Elephenor gathered his Euboeans, and his forty ships, Acamas, alongside his brother would accompany the Euboean king.
Acamas and Demophon would find a welcome in Euboea, where Elephenor ruled.
Elephenor would later become a Suitor of Helen, and was thus duty bound to raise a force to retrieve her from Troy. When Elephenor gathered his Euboeans, and his forty ships, Acamas, alongside his brother would accompany the Euboean king.
Acamas and Laodice
Little though is said of Acamas during the Trojan War, for he does not appear in the Iliad, but there is an important tale told of Acamas before the fighting began.
It was said by some that Acamas and Diomedes were the emissaries of Agamemnon who went to King Priam to demand the return of Helen; although, the more famous version tells of this being done by Menelaus and Odysseus.
Whilst in Priam’s court though, Acamas and Laodice, daughter of Priam, fell in love. A brief relationship saw Laodice become pregnant, and subsequently she gave birth to Acamas’ son, Munitus.
Acamas and Laodice were of course separated by the war being fought between Achaeans and Trojans, and Laodice thus gave the care of Munitus over to Aethra, Helen’s servant, who had also been brought to Troy by Paris. Aethra though, was also Acamas’ grandmother, for she was Theseus’ mother, captured when the Dioscuri attacked Athens.
It was said by some that Acamas and Diomedes were the emissaries of Agamemnon who went to King Priam to demand the return of Helen; although, the more famous version tells of this being done by Menelaus and Odysseus.
Whilst in Priam’s court though, Acamas and Laodice, daughter of Priam, fell in love. A brief relationship saw Laodice become pregnant, and subsequently she gave birth to Acamas’ son, Munitus.
Acamas and Laodice were of course separated by the war being fought between Achaeans and Trojans, and Laodice thus gave the care of Munitus over to Aethra, Helen’s servant, who had also been brought to Troy by Paris. Aethra though, was also Acamas’ grandmother, for she was Theseus’ mother, captured when the Dioscuri attacked Athens.
Acamas and the Sacking of Troy
The Trojan War came to an end after the ruse of the Trojan Horse was put into effect, and it was commonly recorded that Acamas was one of the Achaean heroes who hid inside the belly of the Wooden Horse. The Wooden Horse of course led to the Sacking of Troy, and the spoils of war passed to the Achaean heroes.
Some tell of Acamas asking for nothing in terms of riches, but asked for the release of their grandmother Aethra, mother of Theseus, something that Agamemnon, and Helen, agreed to, for Aethra was Helen’s handmaiden. Acamas, and Demophon, were thus given Aethra, and also Clymene, their aunt (for Clymene was the daughter of Aethra by Hippaices).
Others though, tell of Agamemnon richly rewarding Acamas with bountiful amounts of Trojan treasure.
Some tell of Acamas asking for nothing in terms of riches, but asked for the release of their grandmother Aethra, mother of Theseus, something that Agamemnon, and Helen, agreed to, for Aethra was Helen’s handmaiden. Acamas, and Demophon, were thus given Aethra, and also Clymene, their aunt (for Clymene was the daughter of Aethra by Hippaices).
Others though, tell of Agamemnon richly rewarding Acamas with bountiful amounts of Trojan treasure.
Acamas After Troy
The story of Acamas fades after the Trojan War, and the mythology associated with his brother Demophon is often mixed with his.
It might be presumed that Acamas returned to Athens, but perhaps travelled with, and without his brother afterwards. In Athens, the Acamantis tribe was so named after Acamas, whilst Acamentium in Phrygia and the Acamas promontory in Cyprus were also named for the son of Theseus.
If Demophon was king of Athens when the Heraclides sought refuge, then was Acamas there also to face the forces of Eurystheus.
The death of Acamas is not recorded, although the death of his son Munitus is, for it was recorded that Munitus died of snake bite whilst taking part in a hunt at Olynthus in Thrace.
It might be presumed that Acamas returned to Athens, but perhaps travelled with, and without his brother afterwards. In Athens, the Acamantis tribe was so named after Acamas, whilst Acamentium in Phrygia and the Acamas promontory in Cyprus were also named for the son of Theseus.
If Demophon was king of Athens when the Heraclides sought refuge, then was Acamas there also to face the forces of Eurystheus.
The death of Acamas is not recorded, although the death of his son Munitus is, for it was recorded that Munitus died of snake bite whilst taking part in a hunt at Olynthus in Thrace.
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Colin Quartermain - Acamas Son of Theseus- 25th September 2021